Njord - Capstone Project

Njord was the concept for the Capstone project of my final semester at The New School. The goal of the Capstone was to either validate or invalidate a concept via strategic design tools over the course of 15 weeks. You will see drastic changes between our earlier iterations and the final pitch video because our team invalidated the viability of the initial Njord concept around ten weeks into the project, causing us to pivot into our final concept.

The problem at hand is that New York City is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and there are limited options for renters to access renewable energy sources due to various factors. Many renewable energy solutions like solar require a permanent installation, roof access, and ample space, which are not feasible for most renters as they typically have shorter lease terms and limited access to roofs. Additionally, current consumer renewable energy solutions on the market are expensive and inaccessible, often requiring financing. As a result, renters are largely excluded from the renewable energy market, which represents a significant portion of the population in New York City.

The initial proposed solution was to create a company that leases wind turbines to tenants in New York City, which can be attached to any standard window to capture wind energy. The company would act as an intermediary, providing the tenant with the wind turbine for free and then taking 50% of the profits generated from the sale of energy back to the energy provider. The remaining 50% of profits would be deducted from the tenant's energy bill. This solution aims to provide a renewable energy option for renters in New York City, who currently have limited access to such options due to the constraints of their living situation. By utilizing urban wind energy, this solution has the potential to provide a reliable source of clean energy and contribute to the reduction of the city's dependence on fossil fuels.

———

Our new proposed solution, Njord, revolutionizes the renewable energy landscape for small landlords in New York City. With Njord, we bring together landlords and install decentralized solar-energy plants on their rooftops, alleviating the burden of renewable energy management from their to-do lists.

Instead of installing solar panels on a roof-by-roof basis, Njord optimizes the process by gathering 50-100 buildings that are willing to participate and share in the profits. Through this collaborative approach, we can install multiple solar installations simultaneously, reducing costs and consolidating maintenance efforts. Property owners can choose their level of commitment, from sharing roof space and receiving 10% of the profits, to fully funding the project and receiving 90% of the profit share.

The timing for Njord's introduction couldn't be more opportune. The implementation of the Climate Mobilisation Act, along with higher revenue from renewable energy credits, tax breaks for solar projects, and increased funding in the green energy sector, position Njord at the forefront of the renewable energy movement.

By utilizing just 1% of available roof space, Njord has the potential to generate up to $12 million in yearly revenue, thereby avoiding $3 million in LL97 penalties annually. More importantly, this initiative would prevent the emission of 12,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to taking 2,760 cars off the streets of New York City each year.

Njord empowers landlords to contribute to the fight against climate change while simultaneously benefiting financially from the renewable energy sector. Through this innovative solution, we aim to create a sustainable and greener future for New York City, while minimizing the effort and maximizing the rewards for property owners.

To complete the deliverables of the urban wind project, a thorough and iterative process was followed. The process involved conducting extensive research on the market, the technology, and the regulatory landscape of urban wind energy. Our team then worked on developing the concept, creating a landscape analysis map, functions and actions tree, roadmap, and prototype. Each of these deliverables was refined through multiple iterations and tested through user testing and feedback from industry experts. A development matrix was then created to outline the technical aspects of the project and guide the implementation process. Finally, a pilot video will be produced to showcase the concept and its potential impact. Throughout the process, our team maintained a strong focus on user needs and feedback, ensuring that the final product would be viable, feasible, and valuable to its target audience.